This presentation accompanied a research paper on the history and development of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. I discussed their development and why these schools were established. I also discussed the importance of these schools upon establishment and why they are relevant in the twenty-first century.

1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORICALLY
BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
By Carlos F. McKnight

2. WHAT IS A
HISTORICALLY
BLACK COLLEGE
AND UNIVERSITY?
▪ Colleges and universities that were established before 1964.
▪ Mission: to educate African Americans.
▪ First HBCUs Founded in Pennsylvania and Ohio:
▪ Cheyney University (1837)
▪ Lincoln University (1854)
▪ Wilberforce University (1863)
Emery Hall at Wilberforce University

3. HOW HBCUs BEGAN
▪ Many started as school houses.
▪ Established by Northern Religious Groups.
▪ Normal Schools, Theology Schools.
▪ 90 schools established by 1900.

4. FREEDMAN’S BUREAU
AND MORRILL ACTS
▪ Freedman’s Bureau:
▪ Provided assistance to freed blacks; and
established colleges.
▪ Howard University, Clark Atlanta University and
Morehouse College.
▪Morrill Land-Grant Acts:
▪ 1862: Allowed institutions to be built on
public land.
▪ 1890: Forced states to provide funding
for Black schools.

5. VOCATIONAL VS. ACADEMIC
▪ Shift in 1900s to academic focus.
▪Debates on shift:
▪ W.E.B. DuBois supported academic education.
▪ Booker T. Washington believed in vocational education.
▪ Blacks divided on who to follow.
▪ Surge in black students following WWI.

6. 1953-1969: ERA OF SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
▪ Earl Warren Court (‘53-‘69):
▪ Brown v. Board of Education
▪ McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents
▪ Many students began attending PWIs.
▪ Many HBCUs closed due to integration.
The Supreme Court in 1962

7. 1960s: FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY

8. STATISTICS ABOUT HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
▪ Over 101 accredited HBCUs.
▪ In 2014: Enrolled 10% of African American Students Nationwide.
▪ Between 2002 and 2011, the top 8 institutions where African American doctors earned
their bachelor's degrees were at HBCUs.
Saint Augustin’s University

9. STATISTICS ABOUT HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Southern University in Louisiana

10. PROMINENT HBCU
GRADUATES
▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse)
▪ Taraji P. Henson (Howard)
▪ Randy Jackson (Southern - Baton
Rouge)
▪ 2 Chainz (Alabama State)
▪ Many others

11. HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES TODAY
▪ Black Pride.
▪ On Campus Culture:
▪ Black Greek-Lettered Organizations
▪ Homecoming
▪ Marching Bands
▪Historical Financial Struggles.
▪ Opening to new demographics for funds.

12. THE FUTURE OF HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
▪ Still are needed as a “safe space”.
▪ Fight for equal funding.
“… the need for HBCUs is still necessary – to educate the descendants
of black African Slaves. This includes the hiring of black faculty – to
serve as role models, educational coaches, and mentors.”
– Earnest N. Bracey